Criticism Surfaces Over Aquatic Center

Political pulse - The metro scene

January 26, 1992

Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen went to the Orange County Commission recently asking for help to save the Orlando International Aquatic Center. But he got a little criticism.

Commissioner Vera Carter said she was angry that Rosen had been bad-mouthing the county, saying that it was not doing enough to save the center. The board, Carter said, is very concerned about the center. And Chairman Linda Chapin has been pressuring the bank that foreclosed on the center to reopen it.

''You have put us in a bad light. I don't appreciate it,'' Carter said. ''We don't need to be beat over the head with a 2-by-4, OK?'' Rosen apologized, but added, ''If I have been abrasive, it certainly was not the first time, and it certainly won't be the last.''

EXPRESSWAY BOARD

8 CANDIDATES. At least six men and two women have applied to Gov. Lawton Chiles' office to replace Bob Harrell, who resigned from the policy setting board of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority.

A Chiles spokesman said he was not certain when a replacement would be picked.

Insiders say that Barr is backed by Orlando Mayor Bill Frederick, while Rich is supported by Orange County Chairman Linda Chapin. A possible compromise choice is Brown.

CITY HALL

NOT DONE YET. Land movers continue roving about what eventually will become a front-yard park for the new $36 million Orlando City Hall on Orange Avenue.

All vestiges of the old seat of municipal government are gone, soon to be replaced with grass, landscaping, a fountain and a 63-foot stainless steel and glass tower that will reflect the sky. The finishing touches, worth $2.5 million, should be complete by the end of April, said Lew Oliver, an assistant city attorney who is overseeing construction of the edifice.

Oliver promised the fountain will be spectacular, with three major jets of water, plus 10 bubblers.

Orlando borrowed money to build the new City Hall and will pay it off during the next 30 years.

THE RETURN OF ADAMS

RUNNING AGAIN. Count Orange County School Board member Kattie Adams in. She says she'll soon file to run for another term.

So far, no one else has opened a campaign account in her district. But board members Dee Parsons and Iris Tapley have yet to decide whether to run again. Both will face opposition if they do. Tapley says she'll decide by March. Parsons says his deadline is early April.